Outdoor Fire Protection Systems™
Residential, Commercial and Industrial Fire Protection Systems

                                
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Maintenance

Outdoor Fire Protection Systems have to be properly maintained. We offer contract maintenance programs and fuel removal for large acreage sites or industrial clients. All others can handle this important function in-house with simple steps outlined here.

Fuel Removal can be performed by homeowners, maintenance crews or contractors. Fuel is anything that burns: brush, dead branches, leaves, pine needles, gas cans, trash, debris piles, construction debris, etc. When winter and spring precipitation causes significant undergrowth it means early summer is the right time for fuel removal. Fire seeks the easiest path to more fuel, so when you remove fuel you immediately lower risk. Some tips:

1. Keep a 50' perimeter directly around your home, business or structure free from fuel at all times.
2. Trim branches higher up the trunk, keep trees well watered and always remove dead growth.
3. Maintain a fuel-free outside perimeter bands at 150' to 300' from structures once or twice a year.

Mechanical Maintenance should be performed at least annually. Thermo-Gel has a three year shelf life and should be replaced if unused during that time. Hoses and nozzles last longer but can deteriorate in high sunlight, high heat situations. In hard-freeze situations, irrigation and water delivery systems may have to be drained and blown-out with high-psi air to avoid damage. When winterizing systems, keep all valves open to air and re-pressurize as soon as possible the following season. Frost-free systems still need to be tested to make sure they operate in winter months. Other mechanical tips:

1. Irrigation, quick coupler, power generation and pump systems all have to be operated monthly to see that everything is working. Test weekly during fire-prone times of year and promptly make any necessary repairs.
2. Lakes, ponds, pools and tanks should be checked for algae growth or other debris that can clog nozzles. If possible install aeration or mixing system to keep water fresh. Where water is available, completely drain and re-fill annually.
3. Conduct a fire drill periodically where the entire system is operated and used to make sure your hardware is working. You will not have time to make repairs in an emergency!

Communications & Monitoring: Automatic stand-alone systems need to have their power supply checked periodically. Solar panels should be clean and free from debris. Computer or cell-phone based control systems should be tested at least monthly during fire prone times of year from a remote location, maybe from your neighbor's house so you can see it working. Under development is an automatic monitoring system that will poll our clients' systems for connectivity and report back via E-mail or real time. This will be available for those who invest in advanced controls. We hope to integrate the system into a format consistent with today's leading alarm system companies.

Send mail to Info@outdoorfireprotection.com
Copyright © 2005 Kaye Contracting Company ROC#214973
Last modified: July 20, 2008

Disclaimer:
Kaye Contracting Co. cannot guarantee that lives or property will be saved by using our systems. We guarantee that our systems will lower
overall fire risk when properly designed, installed and maintained. The best safeguard for life and property is fire prevention.